Published Reports and Headline News

At Kram & Wooster, P.S. we have been extremely successful in the cases we have tried. Take a look at some of our top stories to find out what we can do for you.

We have also represented significant cases that are now “reported” cases. Reported cases refer to any legal case that has been published in a law reporter, either state or federal. It is important to note that cases are only reported if they decide a new point in the law or clarify another point. Browse a collection of reported cases that we at Kram & Wooster, P.S. have had the pleasure to represent.

Our Reported Cases

Goode v. Tukwila Sch. Dist. No. 406, 194 Wash. App. 1048 (2016) We successfully reversed the trial court’s decision dismissing a controversial race discrimination case against a school district and clarified the impact of a senior manager’s discriminatory behavior upon working conditions to create a hostile work environment.

Mid-Century Ins. Co. v. Henault, 75 Wn. App. 733, 879 P.2d 994 (1994) aff'd, 128 Wn.2d 207, 905 P.2d 379 (1995); action where firm successfully challenged insurance company's policy's motorcycle exclusion and denial of uninsured motorist coverage and Personal Injury Protection payments after client was struck by vehicle after she had been knocked off her motorcycle by an uninsured motorist. Firm argued that client was on the roadway when she was struck, and was therefore, not riding a motorcycle or getting on or off a motorcycle, and was outside the scope of the exclusion. The Court agreed and payments were made for the client's injuries.

Sprouse v. Lewis Cnty. Sheriff's Dep't, 174 Wn. App. 1063 (2013) review denied, 178 Wn.2d 1014, 311 P.3d 27 (2013); action representing Lewis County Sheriff's Department upholding termination of employee that falsely and groundlessly claimed Department engaged in criminal action when it reprimanded him.

Galbraith v. TAPCO Credit Union, 88 Wn. App. 939, 946 P.2d 1242 (1997); landmark case extending protection of Washington Law Against Discrimination anti-retaliation to non-employee witness, who was stripped of credit union membership for providing information supporting credit union employees' discrimination claims.

Dalton v. Washington State Dep't of Corr., 344 Fed.Appx. 300 (9th Cir. 2009); decision reversing trial court judge that dismissed First Amendment case brought by prison nurse that had been a whistleblower.

Matthews v. Nat'l Collegiate Athletic Ass'n, 79 F.Supp.2d 1199 (E.D. Wash. 1999); Matthews v. NCAA, 179 F.Supp.2d 1209 (E.D. Wash. 2001); action to require NCAA to make a reasonable accommodation for Washington State University football player's learning disability.

Schatz v. State, Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., 314 P.3d 406 (Wash. Ct. App. 2013); class action suit on behalf of forensic employees at state mental hospitals to achieve just compensation with non-forensic employee comparators.

Bagley v. State of Wash. Dep't of Soc. & Health Servs., C05-5477 JKA, 2006 WL 2009045 (W.D. Wash. July 14, 2006); action to seek compensation for discriminatory treatment of state employee.

Marriage of Egan v. Arnold, 88 Wn. App. 1025 (1997); action seeking to overturn contempt citation after teenaged daughter refused to follow parenting plan and departed airplane before departure for Christmas visit with mother.

To-Ro Trade Shows v. Collins, 144 Wn.2d 403, 27 P.3d 1149 (2001), cert. denied 122 S.Ct. 1304 (Mem), 152 L.Ed.2d 215 (2002); action seeking to assert show promoter legal standing to enforce constitutional free speech claims of exhibiters interfered with by government agents.

Brown v. MHN Gov't Servs., Inc., 178 Wn.2d 258, 306 P.3d 948 (2013); action to enforce Fair Labor Standards Act and Washington Minimum Wage Act claims of employees alleged to be independent contractors and striking down arbitration provision in contract as oppressive and unconscionable.

Ahmed v. State of Washington, 203 F.3d 830 (9th Cir. 1999); Ahmed v. Washington, 276 F.3d 464 (9th Cir. 2001) vacated, 294 F.3d 1092 (9th Cir. 2002) case on behalf of physician at State run school for developmentally disabled individuals, challenging his termination in violation of his First Amendment Rights to object to the sub standard care being provided to residents at the school. The case was tried twice, won twice, and ultimately, settled while on appeal. This case was unique in that one judge on the panel withdrew his decision and filed a dissenting opinion supporting our client. The 9th Circuit accepted the case for en banc review, and the case settled a week before oral argument.

Belsvig v. Karr, 169 Wn. App. 1006 (2012) review denied, 176 Wn.2d 1006, 297 P.3d 67 (2013); action enforcing fee agreement, where firm was forced to withdraw after client failed to cooperate in prosecution of his case.

Am. Dog Owners Ass'n v. City of Yakima, 113 Wn.2d 213, 777 P.2d 1046 (1989); action seeking to challenge city ordinance, banning ownership of certain types of dogs within city limits.

Mason v. Mason, 143 Wn. App. 1011 (2008); action challenging property distribution in divorce.

Rutledge v. Beck, 148 Wn. App. 1031 (2009); action seeking to force tenant in common to divest interest in property, where parties could not agree among themselves what to do with the property.

Bryant v. Palmer Coking Coal Co., 86 Wn. App. 204, 936 P.2d 1163 (1997); adverse possession claim granting firm's clients title to large amount of acreage, where they had maintained an air strip, stored vehicles, and engaged in other activities. The decision also reversed the trial court's ruling, denying mineral rights to our client.

Old City Hall LLC v. Pierce Cty. AIDS Found., 181 Wash. App. 1, 329 P.3d 83 (2014) Representing a tenant in the Old City Hall Building in Tacoma we established that landlord constructively evicted tenants by allowing conditions in the building to become unsanitary, unbearable, unworkable, and unsafe; evidence demonstrated that trash had piled up and cleaning services were not performed because landlord failed to pay the bill, feces was found in the common areas, the heating and cooling system did not function properly, and tenant's employees felt unsafe in building because of the lack of security and unauthorized residents. Not only was the landlord's claims against the tenant for breach of their lease dismissed, our client was awarded damages for having to move and over $100,000 in attorneys' fees.

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At Kram & Wooster, P.S. our attorneys have the knowledge and skills to protect your rights. Call our office today to schedule your consultation or to find out more about our services.